Heart-ache: James Dobson says Fred! isn’t a Christian

posted at 2:17 pm on March 28, 2007 by Allahpundit

Or not his kind of Christian or not Christian “enough” or whatever. It’s this sort of thing that led me to support McCain, enthusiastically, in 2000.

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson appeared to throw cold water on a possible presidential bid by former Sen. Fred Thompson while praising former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also weighing a presidential run, in a phone interview Tuesday.

“Everyone knows he’s conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for,” Dobson said of Thompson. “[But] I don’t think he’s a Christian; at least that’s my impression,” Dobson added, saying that such an impression would make it difficult for Thompson to connect with the Republican Party’s conservative Christian base and win the GOP nomination.

Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Thompson, took issue with Dobson’s characterization of the former Tennessee senator. “Thompson is indeed a Christian,” he said. “He was baptized into the Church of Christ.”

In a follow-up phone conversation, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson’s claim. He said that, while Dobson didn’t believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless “has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian—someone who talks openly about his faith.”

“We use that word—Christian—to refer to people who are evangelical Christians,” Schneeberger added. “Dr. Dobson wasn’t expressing a personal opinion about his reaction to a Thompson candidacy; he was trying to ‘read the tea leaves’ about such a possibility.”

If Rudy hangs around I’ve got a feeling Dobson’s going to read those leaves again and find that social-con Fred! is Christian enough after all. Dobson’s candidate of choice appears to be Newt, but Newt ain’t getting nominated so he can either warm up to Thompson or resign himself to an Inauguration Day that looks like this:

Thought he’d see it my way.

Given the choice between supporting a Dobson-approved “Christian” candidate or supporting Fred!, the Freepers make their choice.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

We use that word—Christian—to refer to people who are evangelical Christians,” Schneeberger added.
So, the run of the mill Catholic, Lutheran, Greek/Russian/Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist, whatever, are NOT Christians according to Dobson?

Silly me. I thought belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God was sufficient to be called a Christian. I must be some sort of heritic, then.

georgej on March 28, 2007 at 6:31 PM

Evangelical isn’t a denomination; people in all those denominations could be Christian by what he was saying. The point is that there’s a difference between being a nominal Christian and having a relationship with Jesus, which is what evangelicals tend to mean when they say “Christian” or “evangelical.”

>Dobson has been a voice crying in the wilderness for a long time and has done fantastic work for the kingdom of God.

Oh please. If the kingdom of God is the same as the kingdom of Focus on the Family, then I guess you’re right, otherwise, I can give you a whole list of conservative Christians who are fairly concerned that JD’s mix of the Gospel with politics may have lost more than a few souls.

I don’t see where he was speaking for God. He was giving his opinion on whether he thinks Thompson is a Christian or not.

And that is something known for sure by two – Fred Thompson and God. Dobson has absolutely no business saying such a thing. It’s a slander and frankly, it’s disgraceful behavior for a prominent Christian man.

If Dobson had questions about Thompson’s faith, he should have asked Thompson before running off his mouth to the media.

The term ‘evangelical’, in a lexical but less commonly used sense, refers to anything implied in the belief that Jesus is the Messiah. The word comes from the Greek word for ‘Gospel’ or ‘good news’: ευαγγελιον evangelion, from eu- “good” and angelion “message”. In that strictest sense, to be evangelical would mean to be merely Christian, that is, founded upon, motivated by, acting in agreement with, spreading the good news message of the New Testament.

Christian:

A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God,who was crucified and died at the end of his earthly life, and then on the third day, rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven with the promise to return.

Source: Wikipedia

tikvah wrote: “The point is that there’s a difference between being a nominal Christian and having a relationship with Jesus, which is what evangelicals tend to mean when they say “Christian” or “evangelical.””

Please don’t take this personally, but who is James Dobson to tell me that *I* am not a Christian? Who died and made him Pope? Or Patriarch Or Archbishop of Canterbury? How dare he usurp JESUS?

Slublog: “And that is something known for sure by two – Fred Thompson and God. Dobson has absolutely no business saying such a thing. It’s a slander and frankly, it’s disgraceful behavior for a prominent Christian man.”

A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God,who was crucified and died at the end of his earthly life, and then on the third day, rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven with the promise to return.

The distinction here between roman catholic teaching and protestant teaching is that Christians believe Jesus died for their sins and rose again for their justification. Justfication is by faith alone, apart from works of the law.
Wikipedia has edited out the soteriological implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which of course is the point of the whole thing.

So what if Thompson isn’t a Christian! Though I’ve probably got the context all out of wack (PRCalDude can help me here), but didn’t Martin Luther himself make some quip about preferring to be ruled by a wise Turk over a stupid Christian? The point being that we’re not looking for Pastor in Chief, but President. Granted, this isn’t to say that a “wise Turk” (i.e. Muslim) in American politics is something we can wink at in 21st century America.

First of all I am always suspicious when there are brackets like that in a story. That usually means they are taking something out of context. And if you look at the quote, I really don’t see anything wrong with it. I mean, I personally don’t think Hillary is a Christian. That is MY impression. Is that wrong to say??? She doesn’t act like it, she doesn’t support things that I think Christ would. Can I (or Dobson) not have an opinion on that? I don’t get the impression that she is a very good wife either. Can I say that???? I may be wrong on both counts, but that is my impression.

So what if Thompson isn’t a Christian! Though I’ve probably got the context all out of wack (PRCalDude can help me here), but didn’t Martin Luther himself make some quip about preferring to be ruled by a wise Turk over a stupid Christian? The point being that we’re not looking for Pastor in Chief, but President. Granted, this isn’t to say that a “wise Turk” (i.e. Muslim) in American politics is something we can wink at in 21st century America.

Drum on March 28, 2007 at 7:47 PM

I totally agree. I’ve said as much myself. I’d prefer an atheist with common sense over a Christian with none. This isn’t a theocracy that needs to be ruled by other Christians. God didn’t make a covenant with the signers of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776 that he would be our God and we his people.

Oh, so disagreeing with you and with James Dobson makes us mindless media-led zombies?

No, but I don’t understand why you are so ready to believe how a MSM magazine puts this. Anyone who has ever been interviewed knows how this goes. I was interviewed with the Dallas/Ft Worth paper a few years ago. The story was a positive one and they still quoted me out of context.

And once again you are taking a quote about the Dobson quote from the very same MSM magazine who wants to make sure their impression sticks.

One problem with having as President a Christian on the model of James Dobson is that he’d probably be too soft on muslims. In regard to foreign policy, I’ll usually prefer an evangelical Christian over a left-liberal, but if I really had my choice of Presidents, I’d appoint the one who promised to tell muslims, “I am the Lord your god, and me only shall you serve. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that I am your Lord. As for the rest of you, depart from me, you accursed, into the fire prepared by J. Robert Oppenheimer and his assistants.”

How often we have noted that who is or who isn’t Christian won’t be judged here, but just case in point, someone isn’t the “right” sort of Christian for Dr. Dobson. His right to judge that?

He hasn’t got the right. That is the real point. Dr. Dobson’s brand of Christianity wasn’t around when Christ was either, so he is going to be waiting to see if his offering is right, just like the rest of us.

This news ought to make the Dems very nervous. First Guliani, and now Thompson–two solid candidates with clear daylight between themselves and the religious right, which has obviously taken over the country if their preferred candidates are all in the lead across the board–[scuse me--wassat?--they're not?]. Never mind. Anyway, it all equates to electability.

Anyway, like I was saying, the Dems could care less about Guliani, and Thompson’s religious creds, because the Dems have jumped into bed with the atheist nutroots, who would KILL THEM if they any of their anointed [ooh, bad word choice] candidates started talkin’ about their prayerful side, and how important their faith is, etc., etc, barf.

For people who think Dobson is irrelevant, you all sure have a lot to say about the man. I don’t listen to Dobson, but I know that he does have a decent following with the religious right. His opinion is just that, his opinion. Way to attack and alienate even further the religious right. Hope everyone is excited about another eight years of a Clinton in the Whitehouse. AP has never passed on an opportunity to further instigate the animosity people on the right have with their step-sister. Maybe that is another reason he doesn’t like AC.

Way to attack and alienate even further the religious right. Hope everyone is excited about another eight years of a Clinton in the Whitehouse. AP has never passed on an opportunity to further instigate the animosity people on the right have with their step-sister. Maybe that is another reason he doesn’t like AC.

Many of us are members of the religious right and the issues we have with Dobson are based in the belief that he does not speak for our faith.

You’re kidding, right? When Dobson sneezes, millions of Christians get colds. It’s not “just an opinion.” Though Focus on the Family can’t endorse a candidate (and retain its tax exemption) Dobson surely sways the sentiments of millions of voters. Political influence has become the main emphasis of his organization. The radio show is 75% how to keep a cleaner home, raise kids, and love your husband, with the other 25% being, “Oh my God!! America has never been this challenged by satanic forces as it is this week with X bill and Y Senator!!! Call your congressman now!!!”

You’re kidding, right? When Dobson sneezes, millions of Christians get colds. It’s not “just an opinion.” Though Focus on the Family can’t endorse a candidate (and retain its tax exemption) Dobson surely sways the sentiments of millions of voters. Political influence has become the main emphasis of his organization. The radio show is 75% how to keep a cleaner home, raise kids, and love your husband, with the other 25% being, “Oh my God!! America has never been this challenged by satanic forces as it is this week with X bill and Y Senator!!! Call your congressman now!!!”

Drum on March 29, 2007 at 10:52 AM

yep. It’s unbiblical legalism. He also misunderstands government, common grace, and eschatology, yet at the same time influences millions of Christians.

>we use the word ‘jackass’ to refer to anyone who claims exclusive use of the word ‘Christian’ for just his own tiny little sect of Christianity.

And that’s putting it mildly.

Dr. Dobson is displaying exactly the type of un-Christlike ultra-elitism that we see in all the goofy “anti-whatever” groups, whether they be anti-Mormon, anti-Catholic, or whatever.

There are a lot of self-proclaimed Christians that spend an awful lot of time on being anti. I would suggest stopping the obsession and actually studying the Bible and trying to emulate Jesus (who would have been persecuted and crucified by a lot of today’s self-proclaimed Christians if he had lived in our time).